Losing someone

According to a variety of experts, normal sorrow may develop into a diagnosable form of sadness, widely known as depression, but grief isn’t commonly thought of as a mental illness that requires medical attention. Despite the belief that there are “5 stages of grief,” everyone grieves loss individually and independently.

Psychotherapy won’t do much to speed up the passage of time or change one’s perspective, just like in a romantic relationship. Grief requires time and space for reflection and alone time with memories of the deceased; in other words, it works best when done carefully and patiently.

However, therapy can help someone who becomes “stuck” in a life focused on grieving or who, even years later, is still unable to move on from the loss. But for the majority of individuals, psychotherapy is both excessive and unnecessary for what is a typical aspect of life and existence. The grieving process is hard, and sometimes it may be hard to deal with it alone. So if you feel like you might need the help of a specialist, don’t hesitate to ask.